Y.G. Parthasarathy

Dr. (Smt.) Y.G. RAJALAKSHMI PARTHASARATHY, popularly known as Smt.Y.G.P, (Smt. Y.G. Parthasarathy) is the Founder and Dean & Director of the PADMA SESHADRI BALA BHAVAN Group of Schools, Chennai. A legend in Education, a follower of Vaishnavism, an art Connoisseur, a visionary in Progressive Practices of schooling she is also the Chairman of Bharat Kalachar, formerly the Cultural Wing of the PSBB Schools.
Born on 27th November 1925, Smt.YGP is fortunate to have been the grand-daughter of Diwan Bahadhur T.Rangachari, an eminent lawyer and daughter of reputed Sri Parthasarathy, Officer in Railways and Smt. Alamelu. As a child, lulled in the arms of her parents and her grand-parents she has assimilated the essence of our tradition and culture, values and a progressive outlook. She is the wife of Sri Y.G.Parthasarathy, Joint Commissioner, Customs, Government of India, and mother of Sri Y.Gee Mahendra, Actor, Director and a leading Theatre personality running United Amateur Artistes (UAA), and Sri Y.G.Rajendraa, Executive Trustee, Bala Bhavan Educational Trust
Professional Experience:
Initially a journalist Dr. Mrs. Y.G.Parthasarathy, established PSBB in 1958 with the prime aim of providing education focusing on Indian culture. She does not want her students to be RNIs (Resident Non-Indians). What began as a small school on the terrace of her house with thirteen students has transformed into a mighty Educational Empire in 60 years.
This widely travelled celebrity has absorbed the best from the schools in USA, U.K., Russia, Europe, Australia, Africa, Japan, China, Singapore and Indonesia and has incorporated them into the PSBB Schools and thereby enhancing the quality of Education.

Outstanding Contribution:
An educational pattern which CBSE introduced in 2009 as CCE was already in vogue in PSBB till classes VIII in the 1980s. This educational revolution in PSBB enabled students emerge as well-developed individuals holistically. Labs for Math, English and Social Science were established three decades back. These speak volumes of this visionary.
Professional Excellence
Dr. (Mrs.) YGP believes in sharing her pedagogic expertise. She is the mentor for various educational institutions like R.M.Jain Vidyashram, Vels Vidyashram and Pon Vidyashram. She believes in AIR (Accountability, Integrity and Responsibility) that should permeate in every PSBB ian. She holds a strong faith that every teacher is capable of emulating her and she very often expresses the joy when she sees her teachers reflect a few of her traits.
Think Global, Act Global is her motto for academics. This is achieved through GYLC (Global Young Leaders’ Conference), Connecting Classroom, International School Award, World School Forum, International Visitors’ Leadership Programme, Fulbright Teacher Exchange under USEFI, International Leadership in Education programme, JET (Japan Exchange Teacher programme), Exchange programme with Lycee Michel Rodange Luxembourg and other International projects.
Service to Humanity
RTE may have been a new policy for the present day politicians but to Dr. (Mrs.) YGP it is as old as 60 years. She has always been providing free education to the children of Class IV employees of the school. These children of ayahs, attenders and lab assistants are now well-placed earning handsome figures.
July 29th 2016, when PSBB celebrated its 59th Anniversary, Dr. (Mrs.) YGP’s dream was accomplished on this red letter day. Selvakumar, an alumnus of PSBB was conferred the title ‘Siksha Seva Ratnam’ for his yeoman service for the underprivileged. He grew up in Mrs. YGP’s house as his mother was a domestic help there. He proudly acknowledged from the podium at Kamaraj Arangam that he needs a post card to display his educational qualifications as a small visiting card would not suffice. He began his emotional speech saying, ‘I am from the slum’, and the 1000 odd audience sat spell bound listening to his success story. He fondly recalled the ‘Each One Teach One programme’ initiated by Mrs.YGP and reiterated the fact that this unique programme propelled him to do something for the society. He runs the Kalviaalaya at a village, Pelapur, a learning centre for the underprivileged.
The ‘Joy of Giving’ is yet another successful programme where the students contribute food items like rice, dhal, noodles, Boost, every month on the last Friday. The contributions are sent to Pratyusha Foundation – a charitable organization, which helps HIV affected children.
Dr.(Mrs.)YGP is a member of the 108 Mangalasasana Divya Desem Committee. Through this she ensures that the temple activities and rituals go on without any financial constraints.
She founded Bharat Kalachar, formerly the Cultural Wing of the School, to inculcate art appreciation among younger generation and create an awareness of our rich and glorious heritage and fine arts of our country. She has been instrumental in reviving “Konnakol” – a traditional art form by introducing it in classes III to VIII.
As the Chief Patron of Bharat Kalachar, Dr. (Mrs.) YGP, an art connoisseur herself promotes Indian art, music and dance. The Margazhi Mahotsav is a much looked forward to event for the rasikas of Chennai and the rasikas abroad. Bharat Kalachar identifies and honours young talented artists and stalwarts in the Music, Dance and Drama. In a nutshell Bharat Kalachar is a springboard for artistes to gain National and International fame. Bharat Kalachar scholarships are also given to deserving students in Music and Dance every year.
She has spearheaded a social movement by adopting a Panchayat school off Chennai and rendering academic support and modern amenities to the school. She has motivated her faculty to visit the Government schools on a regular basis and teach spoken English to the students there for that is their important requirement.
As an advisory member of the University Women’s Association, she has suggested and implemented various programme for the empowerment of women.
Outstanding activities after 60 years:
Women generally think that life reaches stagnation once they are married. But here is a legend who decided to do her Ph.D. in Vaishnavism when she was 75, on a topic close to her heart, “Sri Ramanuja and his socio – religious thought” what is even more interesting and poignant is she attended the viva regarding her thesis when her husband was in his deathbed. A true follower of Bhagavat Gita!!
Gifted with brilliance, this grand woman always exercises both the hemispheres of the brain and disseminates the joy of learning with the young and the old alike.
Activities undertaken despite social / political resistance:
There was an antiquated rule that a lady can never head an all boy’s school. When Mrs.YGP came to know of this rule she didn’t meekly give in. She went all the way to Kashmir to meet Mrs. Indira Gandhi who was in a conference. She argued her way with the Iron Lady clearly making the adage ‘Where there is a will there is a way’, come true.
Local Community:
As part of the Golden Jubilee initiative Dr. (Mrs.) YGP has set up the Research Science Initiative, Chennai (RSI-C), in collaboration with IIT-M, Shastra University A Summer Science Residential programme in line with the Residential programme offered at Centre of Excellence at MIT, is organized for the deserving students of Class XI from the various city schools. Meritorious students selected after a vigorous interview are given stipend at the end of six weeks enrichment residential programme at IIT-M. It is Dr.(Mrs.) YGP’s dream that one of the students from RSI-C emerges as a Nobel Scientist. May her wish come true and make Tamilnadu proud.
Healthy Ageing
To keep the heart unwrinkled, to be hopeful, kindly, cheerful, and reverent – that is to triumph over old age.
This in essence is the secret of Dr.(Mrs.) YGP’s youthful ageing who is a living example of Dr. Deepak Chopra’s ‘Ageless Body Timeless Mind’
Be it a concert or a discourse, an arangetram or a play at Museum theatre you’ll find this non-agerian in the front row listening in rapt attention and at the end of the programme shares her views.
She has been following Transcendental Meditation (TM) meticulously and is a stickler for perfect health.
A disciple of Swami Chinmayanandhaji, Swami Dayanand Saraswathi, she has introduced their books Kindle Life and Value of Values for Classes XI & XII as Value Education text books.
Conclusion :
‘Don’t tell me the sky’s the limit when there are foot prints on the moon”
– Paul Brandt.
Here is a grand lady, the super woman from Chennai who doesn’t stop with narrating grandma’s tales pointing at the moon. Here is an icon, a legend who inspires the entire PSBB family pointing to the foot prints on the moon.